Kiddush Before Tekias Shofar Is Not An Option In Pozen

                                                                                   לז"נ ר' יצחק עמרם אליהו בן ר' אברהם אשי זצ"ל יום השנה יום ב' דראש השנה

During the Cholera Epidemic, the wisdom of the day was in order to avoid contacting the disease,

not having  an empty stomach.

Reb  Akiva Eiger and his Bais Din made a Takanah*, Anyone with an empty stomach is not Yotzei Tekias Shofar.

They all had to get up early (before Alos) and eat. For those who were weak they made a half hour break between The Tekios Demeyushav and the Tekios Deamidah to make Kiddush and eat. Having a break at this time is not acceptable, but due to the situation, the Bais Din insisted on it.

It is very interesting that the Bais Din didn’t consider it as an  option, to make Kiddush before Tekias Shofar.

*One of the other Takanos was to finish Musaf

by 10.30am. and every second seat had to remain

empty

Reb Akiva Eigers Judenstern Shabbos lamp

 

Parshas Hashavua  שמות כ:כ     לא תעשון אתי In Shulchan Aruch (Y.D. 141-8) it says: “You are not allowed to replicate the שלחן and  מנורה etc. of the בית המקדש. The type of metal or size doesn't matter.  You may not make a seven-branch Menorah". R.Akiva Eiger's son in law (R. Shmuel Birnbaum zt"l) writes his  Shver had a silver Judenstern Shabbos lamp with seven spouts. He took it to a silversmith who with great difficulty managed to add  on an additional spout so it wouldn't be a seven-branch Menorah Reb Akiva Eiger seems to hold like the Poskim*  that since we  are dealing with an איסור דאורייתא  (לא תעשון אתי) therefore  all seven branch Menorahs are forbidden, regardless of the  shape (cups are in a straight line or in a circle etc.) The Chasam Sofer (Toras Moshe Parshas Yisro) writes  (based on a Tosfos Yoma 54b)  " Because we  hold  wooden tables would be פסול in the בית המקדש  therefore, we may make and have wooden tables in our homes.   However, metal tables regardless of size shape, or type  of metal are kosher בדיעבד in the בית המקדש, therefore, all metal tables may not be made or held for personal use."   The Chasam  Sofer  continues that he sees no היתר for the  Matzoh bakery to have copper (metal) tables. According to the Chasam Sofer, there is no היתר  to own any metal tables.   The Darkei Teshuva (Y.D. 141-8) argues on the  Chasam Sofer. He writes:  " We find  the Gemoro (Shabbos119a)  R. Chiya b Aba praised the Ba’al Habayis who brought in  L’kovod Shabbos a golden table. Had it been אסור to  make he would not have praised him. בכור שור- פתחי תשובה*

 

 

7 Branch Judenstern Shabbos Candelabra

Why do we Bentch?

ואכלת ושבעת וברכת    

Why do we Bentch?

Is it to thank Hashem for the pleasure of:

1) eating

2) full stomach

3) both eating & full

 

R.Akivah Eiger ( 'הגהות רע"א או"ח רפ"ו: ב ) asks a

חקירה:

 What creates  the חיוב  of Bentching, is it both the אכילה & שביעה (eating & being full) or maybe only the שביעה creates  the חיוב and not the אכילה

It would make a difference if,



1) A קטן who became A גדול within 72 minutes (כדי עיכול)
(time it takes for food to digest) of eating a meal that he
has Bentched as a קטן. Is he obligated to Bentch again?
The אכילה  was done as a קטן and the שביעה as a גדול
(R. A. Eiger )

2) A Goy who ate and became a גר
within 72 minutes of his meal, Is he obligated
to Bentch for eating when he was a Goy?


3) According to the שיטות that women are פטור
from Birkat Hamazon An עבד כנעני (same as women)
who ate and his master freed him within 72 minutes
of his meal is he obligated to Bentch?

4) An אונן who ate and they buried the Niftar
within 72 minutes of his meal, Is he obligated
to Bentch?
(Chochmas Adam)

5) A קטן ate before his Bar Mitzvah and wasn't full
he became Bar Mitzvah within 72 minutes and
ate a small amount (פחות מכשיעור שביעה) which filled
him up. Is he obligated to Bentch again even though
he ate less than a Shiur since he is full.?
(Harav Zvi Pesach Frank ZT"l)

Story from Reb Shach

Moron Harav E.M. Shach zt”l  told this story.

The Nesivos who was in a bad marriage and suffered terribly from his wife tried to divorce her. She refused to accept a גט. R. Akiva Eiger zt”l tried to convince her to accept a גט. She told him “ I would never agree to get divorced from such a holy man.”

Rav Shach commented ” Even though she recognized his greatness and holiness she still made him צרות גדולות עד לשמים"


"Similarly", said Rav Shach, “We find in Pasuk ונברכו בך כל משפחות  ALL will recognize the greatness of Avraham Avinu (Klall Yisroel) and will seek his blessing, yet there will be ומקללך אאור, haters of Avraham Avinu who hate & curse him.

All nations in the world are beneficiaries of the Yidden and know of it, yet they hate and try to ח"ו destroy Klal Yisroel.

Kiddush on Yom Kippur

        Kiddush on Yom Kippur

                              (especially this year)

Kiddush on Friday night is דאורייתא.

Mitzvos דאורייתא requires כוונה.

Kiddush on Yom Kippur is a מחלוקת between R.Akiva

Eiger who holds it is not דאורייתא unless it falls on a 

Shabbos and the Chasam Sofer (Hagahos O.Ch.271) who 

holds it is a Mitzvah דאורייתא to make Kiddush every 

Yom Kippur. (even weekday)

This year even according to Reb Akiva Eiger, when Davening the

Shmonah Esrei on Yom Kippur night you are required to

 have in mind when saying

ברוך – מקדש ישראל ויום הכפורים

to be Mekayam  (Yotzei)  Mitzvahs Kiddush.

Mori V'Rabi Harav Hagaon R. Shlomo Miller Shlita, said

Those who are not aware of this Halacha that מקדש ישראל ויום הכפורים

is the Kiddush of Yom Kippur will not be Yotzei even according to Reb Akiva Eiger 

in a weekday Yom Kippur since he is a מתעסק ( worse than no Kavanah)

Possible explanation of the סוד המרכבה

 The Gemoro Rosh Hashana 11a says:

Chodesh זיו is the month of אייר. The reason it is called Ziv , is because the Avos were born in Nissan.

By the time the month of Ziv (Iyar) arrived all the Avos were already born . (see Rashi) 

The Rema (E.H. 126:6 ) writes:

“Since there is a Machlokehs how to spell  אייר   (if 1  or 2 Yuds) we try to refrain from writing Gittin, the entire month .”

Reb Akiva Eiger quotes  the Yalkut with the ראשי תיבות of אברהם, יצחק ,יעקב ,רחל 

From the ילקוט we see that the spelling of אייר is with 2 Yuds.

The אלשיך in Parshas ויחי writes " the Merkava requires to 

have all three אבות both Yitzchok & Yakov (two yuds)

Hence, this explains why the ראשי תיבות  of  of אייר 

is the סוד המרכבה 

אמבצי

-From Reb Akiva Eiger סוד המרכבה

                           סוד המרכבה

  R.Akiva Eiger zt”l writes in the Hagohos (E.H. 126:6):

 “Theנחלת שבעה quotes a ילקוט 

  The ראשי תיבות of אברהם יצחק יעקב רחל spell 

אייר  with 2 Yuds and that is the סוד המרכבה"

Why We Stand

The Mogen Avraham (417:1) writes, The Minhag is to stand when
the Chazzan announces (during Rosh Chodesh Bentching)
the day Rosh Chodesh will be on, similar to the times when they
were Mekadesh the Chodesh.

 R. Akiva Eiger zt"l , writes on himself  “בער אנכי" 
(I am an AmHa’aretz)* and I don’t know where do we find קידוש החדש
was done standing. From the Mishna (R.H. 25b) it seems the
opposite, Bais Din was sitting, only the עדים were standing.”
(Bais Din announced מקודש while they sat)

I once heard an answer . In Pirkei D’rabi Eliezer it says
a Sefer Torah was brought in when the Bais Din said מקודש-.
When a Sefer Torah is brought in, everybody needs to stand up.

Our Minhag is, for the Chazzan to hold the Sefer Torah during
time he announces the new Chodesh. Perhaps it is done lezecher the
קידוש החדש where they brought in a Sefer Torah.

According to the Mishna Verura, (Shar Hatzion 146 sk18) there is no 
חיוב to stand while the Chazan is standing and holding the 
Sefer Torah,
(Rosh Chodesh Bentchen, Eil Molei, Mi Shebeirach Bahab etc.)

The Minhag is to stand because of הידור תורה .
The only time you must stand, is while the Chazzan walks 
with the Torah or for Hagbah.


*We should all be an Am Ha'aretz like him.

How much?

וכסף וזהב לא ירבה לו (דברים יז - יז) The amount of נדן (dowery) R. Akiva Eiger zt"l gave to the Chasam Sofer was 1,200 Guilden Rheinish. (Cologne) According to Harav V. Reich Shlita. (מחבר ספר מסורת השקל,ועוד) this would equal to about 1.4 Kg. silver

Did you know ? (150)

According to Reb Akiva Eiger zt"l (Shu"t O.Ch.1:5) 

food  on Yom Kippur is Muktza . 

The Or Sameach argues and holds since you can 

feed the children on Yom Kippur it is not Muktza.

According to Harav R.Y.S. Elyashiv zt"l , food in 

an army base located in an unpopulated area 

where there are no children, is Muktza on Yom Kippur 

women davening Musaf .

The  Shu”t  R. Akiva Eiger (1- 9) quotes  the Besamim Rosh(89)

 “Since women  didn’t participate in the Machtzis  Hashekel 

(which went for Karbonos Tzibbur) therefore women are Patur 

(exempt) from Tefillas Musaf.  (They are Mechuyav (obligated) in

Shachris & Mincha because in those Tefillos  we ask for Rachamim)*1

Other Achronim *2  argue  on R.A.E. and say if this were true, then

men under 20 yrs., Kohanim &  Levi’im  according to those

who hold, are exempt from M.H. ,should also be Patur from Tefillas Musaf.

The publisher of the Besamim Rosh was R. Shaul Berlin son of R. Zvi Hirsh Berlin zt"l.

R. Shaul Berlin was a great Talmid Chacham but a Maskil.

He claimed to have found this Ksav Yad of R. Yitzchock d’Molino who compiled the Teshuvos from the Rosh.

 It didn’t take  long to discover that the Sefer was a forgery and not from the Rosh as R.S.B. claimed. 

There is a dispute if the whole Sefer is a forgery or only part of it and some Teshuvos are from the Rosh.

*1  Mishna Veruro 106 sk 4

*2 Magen Giborim

seven branch candelabra

Parshas Hashavua

part 1

לא תעשון אתי אלוהי כסף

The Gemoro (Avoda Zarah 53a) and Shulchan Aruch (Y.D. 141-8)  say that one is not allowed to replicate the shulchan and  menorah  etc. of the Bais Hamikdash. The type of metal or size doesn't matter.  You may not make a seven branch Menorah.

R.Akiva Eiger's son in law (R. Shmuel Birnbaum zt"l) writes that his  Shver had a silver Shiviti candelabra with seven spouts and  took it to a silver smith who with great difficulty managed to add  on an additional spout.

Reb Akiva Eiger seems to hold like the Poskim* that being we  are dealing with an Issur De'orysa  (לא תעשון אתי) therefore  all seven branch  Menoras are forbidden, regardless of the  shape (cups are in a straight  line or in a circle etc.)

*Bchor Shor- Pischei teshuva                    

Why 2 days Rosh Chodesh?

Why 2 days Rosh Chodesh?

The Chida in Machzik Bracha (108) quotes Reb Yeshaya mi Trani (Tosfos Rid) who says that the two days Rosh Chodesh is not because of Safek.  Had it been because of Safek we would have had to have every Rosh Chodesh two days.

Reb Akiva Eiger (O.Ch. Hagohos 108:11) in the name of the Binyan Ariel writes two days Rosh Chodesh was instituted because of the times when they had a Safek.

It would seem that this same Machlokeh would be between R. Doseh & Rabanan (Eiruvin39a)

Did you know (78)-KIDDUSH ON YOM KIPPUR

               Kiddush on Yom Kippur

Mitzvos  Deorysa (Min Hatorah) requires Kavanah. Kiddush on Friday night is Deorysa.

Kiddush on Yom Kippur is a Machlokes between R.Akiva Eiger who holds it is not Deorysa* and the Chasam Sofer (Hagahos O.Ch.271) who holds it is a Mitzvah Deorysa to  make Kiddush on Yom Kippur.

According to the Chasam Sofer when Davening the  Shmonah Esrei on Yom Kippur night you are required to  have in mind when saying

ברוך – מקדש ישראל ויום הכפורים 

to be Mekayam  (Yotzei)  Mitzvahs Kiddush.

*Yom Kippur that falls on Shabbos
even Reb Akiva Eiger will admit it's Deorysa
and needs Kavanah

Listen To The Shver

One of the three לאוין  we learn from לא תתגודדו  is

שלא תעשו אגודות אגודות   (min Hatorah)

R. Shmuel Birenbaum zt”l writes, when he came the first time to his Shver (R. Akiva Eiger zt”l) on Chol Hamoed Pesach. His Shver insisted, he put on Tefillin*, even though, his family was from Chasidic background, and didn’t wear Tefillin on Chol Hamoed.

Reb Akiva Eiger said that in Germany & the surrounding countries it was accepted to follow Toras Moshe- The Rema, in all his Pesakim where he argues with the Bais Yosef.

*from then on he wore Tefillin on Chol Hamoed ,

  with no Bracha and made a Tenai

L'Kovod the upcoming Bris from My Einikel

The Maharil writes the reason we say at a Bris, "Hodu
Lashem  Ki Tov*",twice, is because the Gemoro says Arbo'o Tzrichin L'Hodos.

One of the four who need to thank is someone who gets out of
prison. The baby coming out of the mother's womb is like coming out of prison. 
The second time is for the Mother (Cholanis)

In Posen (R.A.Eiger zt"l) they were Meikal (lenient) on yellow babies.
Brisos  were performed on babies who were light yellow, because most babies from wealthy families are usually yellow.
(Teshuvas R.A.E.Hachodosh #5)

Since Krias Hashem doesn't require a Kos (wine) R.A.Eiger drank the wine immediately after the Bracha (Asher Kidash Yedid) before Krias Hashem, so there shouldn't be a Hefsek.

According to the Chasam Sofer (O. Ch 158-9) The Mohel and  all who assist him, have the Segulah of becoming rich. (not only Sandek ) provided they volunteer (no remuneration).

The Segulah of Sandeko'os overpowers the Mazal. Even if someone was born in a Mazal to be a poor man, can become rich. Therefore we try to spread the Segulah to many people.

All Mohalim  were born in the Mazal to be rich. Therefore there is no need to spread the Segulah. The same Mohel may perform many Brisos in the same family.


*טוב= מילה, ותרא כי טוב, נולד מהול

Vort On Parshas Vezois Habracha From Reb Akiva Eiger Zt"l

13 Tishrei, Yahrzeit of the Heilige Zeidah R. Akiva Eiger zt”l

וזרח משעיר למו הופיע מהר פארן 

We find Goyim converting to Judaism and Lehavdil Yidden converting ch”v to other religions.

R.Akiva Eiger said*, “When Hashem went to the other nations to accept his Torah and they refused, there were some individuals, who were willing to accept the Torah but were scared and remained quiet. From them came the Geirim.


Also when the Bnei Yisroel saidנעשה ונשמע, There were some individuals who didn’t want the Torah but were embarrassed to say so.

From them came the converts to other religion.

*Toras Yackov (R. Y. Prager) P.Yisro

Excerpts of a letter written by Reb Akiva Eiger

"Regarding davening in Shul,

It is true that  gathering  in tight spaces, is not good.

You should see to it not to have more than 15 people Davening at the same time. 

In your Tefillos you should also pray for the king, his family,

his ministers and  for the whole nation. You should request from the ministry and mention in my name , to supply police  to enforce this ruling, of making sure, no more than 15 people attend Shul."

This letter was written by R. A. Eiger to his Talmid R. Elya’ Gutmacher zt”l (Greiditz Rov) who asked his Rebbe  advice how to stop , in his community the spread of the cholera epidemic.

Reb Akiva  Eiger sent him the list of Tefilos to be said after Tehilim and a whole list of practical things  to do, and what to refrain from doing.

Partial list from the Gadol Hador.

Keep the body warm

Wrap the stomach with flannel (to keep warm)

Not to eat bad food especially cucumbers

Minimize eating fruits, fish and beer

Not to eat on a full stomach

Keep the house clean

Change to clean underwear  a few times in the week

Keep the windows open

Spray the house with strong vinegar and rosewater.

In the 5^th vol. (Biton ) of Teshuvas Reb Akiva Eiger  there is a copy of a  Psak Din from the Bais Din in Posen, signed by Reb Akiva Eiger  and the two other Dayanim,

R. Yackov Kalvari* & R. Moishe Landsberg zt”l,  

Takanos for the Tefilos during Yomim Noraim.

Every second seat had to remain empty**. They had to skip most of the Piyutim and finish Musaf by 10.30am. All this was done to avoid the epidemic from spreading.

*Great great grandfather of R. Moshe Alon Kalvari Shlita

**Half the people came for the 2 days Rosh Hashana the other half for Yom Kippur.

The Shver disagrees

R, Chaim Shmuel Birenbaum (son in law of R. A. Eiger) told his Shver that his Sheilo (Bar Mitzva)  is similar the Chochmas

Adams Sheilo," If someone ate a meal while he was L.A. an Onen and the Meis was buried within 72

minutes after  his meal, Does he need to bentch because he is satisfied now, or do we say

since the eating was done while there was no chiyuv to bentch, He doesn’t need to bentch even after

he is no longer an Onen."

R.A.E. disagreed with his son in law and said it is not similar to his Sheilo (Bar Mitzva ) ????

Why did R' Akiva Eiger Disagree ???